On Monday morning, El Segundo sophomore quarterback Lars Nootbaar found out from head coach Steve Shevlin that he would be starting his first varsity game Friday night against Lawndale in the Pioneer League opener for both teams.

Nootbaar shook off an early interception to throw for 301 yards and four touchdowns on 10-of-15 passing to lead the Eagles to a convincing 28-6 victory on homecoming.

“Lars played a phenomenal game for his first start, he stepped up and threw the ball well and helped get us going,” Shevlin said.

With the game scoreless late in the first quarter and El Segundo (3-3, 1-0) pinned deep on its 4-yard line, Nootbaar dropped back to pass. He unleashed a 40-yard pass down the sideline to junior Jamie Stewart. Stewart hauled in the pass, eluded two defenders and completed a 96-yard scoring play to give the Eagles a 7-0 lead.

“We’ve worked on that route all week and I just trusted my arm and Jamie went up and made a great play and took it all the way,” said Nootbaar, who replaced injured junior quarterback Daniel Zeman a two-year starter.

“There was a little pressure going into the game, but after the first play I was fine. I just tried to gain my teammates’ trust by making plays.”

On El Segundo’s next series, Nootbaar again found Stewart for a touchdown, this time on a 6-yard pass to put the Eagles up 14-0 midway through the second quarter.

Nootbaar finished the half with a 27-yard touchdown pass to senior Austin Kurke just before the intermission to extend the Eagles lead to 21-0.

“When Lars came out, he gave us a change in attitude at the quarterback position and he inspired us all with his poise and leadership right away,” said Stewart, who had four catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns.

“Winning tonight was huge. It is vital to get off to a good start in our league.”

The lone bright spot for Lawndale (3-3, 0-1) was the play of senior Anthony Chatman, who scored his team’s lone touchdown on an 8-yard run in the fourth quarter. Chatman finished with 71 yards on 11 carries.

“We got what we deserved tonight. We had a terrible week of practice and it showed tonight,” Lawndale coach Rick Mathiesen said. “It showed a complete lack of focus. Hopefully we will learn from this and do better next week.”

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